Bangladesh ambassador to Athens under scrutiny by his government

Golam Mohammad, according to an audio and a letter that Bangladeshis living in Greece wrote to the foreign minister, foul-mouthed ruling Awami League ministers and even relatives of the prime minister using offensive language.

The audio could not be verified, but a copy of the letter signed by President of Bangladesh Awami League Greece branch and General Secretary of Bangladesh Greece Chamber of Commerce and Industry was posted on news site bdnews24.com.

The foreign ministry summoned the ambassador last week. According to the letter, “on behalf of 30,000 Bangladeshis” living there, the envoy in a public meeting made commitment to reduce the government fixed passport fee, certificate and consular fee.

But as he failed, he later blamed the government and the former home minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir using abusive words. He was heard in the audio making sweeping comments on ministers using foul words. He also said that it was “very difficult to rectify those ministers”.

The ambassador also blamed ruling Awami League for communal violence in different parts of Bangladesh, according to the letter. He could not be reached for comments as he was in Dhaka facing investigators.

He accused Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury Nixon, better known as Nixon Chowdhury, of pilfering Padma bridge funds and in the audio it was heard that he was commenting that none could do anything to him (Chowdhury) as he was Prime Minister’s relative. Nixon Chowdhury’s parents are Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s cousin.

The Bangladeshi community in Greece in the letter said the ambassador’s comment had belittled their political and social image. They also alleged that he did not help Bangladeshi business people with consular support.

Bangladesh opened its Greece mission in 2009 after Awami League returned to power. A career diplomat, Golam Mohammad joined the mission at the beginning of 2013. He also served as ambassador to Indonesia before coming to Athens.

In his long diplomatic career, he also served as Bangladesh's Ambassador to Jordan, and in embassies in Dubai, Karachi, Cairo and Canberra in various capacities.